Empties #5

It's been a while since my last empties post (or any kind of post at all, sorry T___T)

I know some people do a monthly empties post, but I basically just throw stuff into an empty David's Tea bag, and when it starts overflowing then I'm like yep, time to post about empties lolol. Depending on what new press samples I'm getting, it can take a very long while for me to get through even some of my favourite products! If I had to sum up the products in this post, it'd be "staple products". These are products I'm reaching for on a daily basis; the bare necessities (tea, hand cream, mascara, lip balm, etc) that I need to get through a day.

Our lineup this time:

Eucerin Calming Creme - I used this up really quick when I got an eczema flareup on my hands. The colloidal oatmeal is calming on the skin, and the mineral oil helps lock in the moisture barrier. I would slather this all over my hands and then put on some white cotton gloves to really seal the deal. Since then, I've discovered Eucerin Eczema Care cream, which I prefer a little more--it seems more hydrating and soothing since it's formulated specifically for eczema.

Nature's Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails Gummies - in a previous post, I said I liked Nature's Bounty's non-gummy supplement but wanted to try the gummies next, because who can say no to gummies? Unfortunately I finished the bottle and felt I got better results in terms of reducing hair fallout with the non-gummy multivitamin. Of course I don't have hard evidence of this, I'm just guessing it was some kind of synergistic effect of the biotin + vitamins/minerals that the non-gummy version has.

Lorna Vanderhaeghe GLA Borage Oil - I had a chance conversation with a nutritionist/naturopath about my eczema last summer, and she recommended, among other things, taking this specific brand of borage oil. I ended up not really looking into her other suggestions because the borage oil pills worked so well for me. At the time, I had been frustrated that the eczema around my mouth was "inactive" (not cracked, severely dry, or weeping) but still dry and red no matter what I did. I was genuinely so surprised at the improvement and how the redness went away within a week or so of taking this.  I've experimented with other, less expensive brands of borage oil and still get good results too. If you also have eczema, I can't promise that you'll have similar results, but I'm so much happier with the condition of my eczema now.

Clinique Lash Power Mascara (press sample) - surprisingly skinny, delicate spoolie for a big name like Lash Power! It was nice at defining my lashes but not my favourite of Clinique's mascaras.

Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara (press sample) - my favourite Clinique mascara, it truly added length and volume without clumpiness or smudging. You can tell how much I was using it because the lettering has worn off the tube!

Lancome Definicils Waterproof Mascara (press sample) - I was the kind of person that always believed that there was no high-end mascara out there that could do what a budget mascara couldn't. The moment I fell in love (while also bemoaning the $$ I'll be shelling out for future Lancome Definicils purchases) was when bf looked at me wearing this mascara and asked if I was wearing falsies. Okay yup sold for life. The one thing that sets this mascara apart from all others I've tried, is how phenomenal it is at keeping my straight, stubborn lashes super long and curled all day long (even compared to other waterproof ones).

David's Tea Kenyan Tinderet - I was recommended this tea when I said I was looking for a good black tea to hold up well against some sugar and milk. Maybe I'm just not a connoisseur, but it was just another okay black tea for me.

David's Tea White Nectarine - makes a very tasty cold-brewed iced tea! Be careful not to oversteep, since it's a white tea.

The Body Shop Lavender Chamomile Facial Blotting Tissues - TBS blotting tissues used to be a staple product for me (I emptied the rose one here), but they've discontinued all but the tea tree oil version for oily skin :(

Sephora Herbal Rose Blotting Papers - the one I moved on to after TBS tissues. These tissues are large enough to use one for my whole face, powderless, and have a light, very pretty rose scent. I've heard that Sephora downsized these to 50 tissues per pack though, which cuts the value in half from when they came in 100 tissues like mine.

Epic Blend More Moisture Lip Balm in Green Apple - I really used this one up all the way to the bottom! I liked the green apple scent and Epic Blend's More Moisture formula is so hydrating. You can check out my original review here.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar A.I. - my one and only staple spot treatment for the occasional pimple. This is the one I moved on to after my Clinique Spot Treatment Gel died, and honestly I prefer the LRP. The salicylic acid (BHA) busts up blemishes--the whiteheads, red ones, and even the ones still lurking under the surface. It has a creamy texture that vanishes into the skin, instead of leaving a shiny or white residue.

The Body Shop Almond Hand and Nail Cream - I saved this one for last to show the picture of how truly emptied this one really is. I squeezed every last drop of hand cream out of the metal tube. I love all things almond, including the almond scent in this lightweight but moisturizing hand cream. One issue I have with any hand cream in a metal tube is that eventually the metal packaging gets a tear in it from squeezing, bending, etc, so at some point this tube was retired from purse duty.


That's it for now! What have you emptied lately?